Abstract: A side plate configured for a tillage shank having a point on a forward edge of the tillage shank and a point base on a bottom edge of the tillage shank to dampen abrasive forces from soil flow includes a modified side plate extension portion having a modified side plate extension portion front edge, the modified side plate extension portion being configured such that the modified side plate extension portion front edge abuts a rear edge of the point on the forward edge of the tillage shank from the point base on the bottom edge of the tillage shank to above a soil line; an attachment portion having an attachment portion front edge, the attachment portion being configured such that the attachment portion front edge does not abut the rear edge of the point on the forward edge of the tillage shank above the soil line; a projection configured to engage the point base; a slot configured to engage the point base; and an opening configured to receive a transverse bolt.

Abstract: An agricultural vehicle configured for traveling in a driven-wheel-leading mode and a caster-wheel-leading mode. The agricultural vehicle includes a first driven wheel and a second driven wheel, a caster axle, a first caster wheel and a second caster wheel, and a steering system. The steering system includes a first steering actuator connected in between the caster axle and the first caster wheel, a first sensor connected to the caster axle, and a controller operably connected to the first steering actuator and the first sensor. The controller is configured for actuating the first steering actuator to steer the first caster wheel in the driven-wheel-leading mode and the caster-wheel-leading mode.

Abstract: An agricultural apparatus includes a first main wing and at least one wheel on one side and a second main wing and at least one wheel on an opposite side. The first and second main wings are pivotable about respective axes of rotation between extended positions in which the first and second main wings extend laterally outward from respective opposite sides of the frame structure, and retracted, storage positions in which the first and second main wings extend generally along a length of the frame structure for shipping or transport. The first and second main wings include respective raised sections each configured to extend over a respective wheel on a corresponding side of the frame structure in the storage position. The raised sections each include a frame having a generally concave shape receiving a portion of one of the first and second wheels in the storage position.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid agricultural products with seed includes a control system; a seed transport mechanism; an agricultural product supply system; and, a seed brush assembly. The seed transport mechanism is affixed to a seed planter row unit. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense agricultural products in response to an output signal from the control system. A brush housing structure of the seed brush assembly receives seed from the seed transport mechanism. A brush of the seed brush assembly has bristles positioned within the brush housing structure. The agricultural product supply system is configured to dispense the liquid agricultural products onto the bristles. The bristles are configured to minimize the resistance associated with the passage of seed past the wetted bristles. The liquid agricultural product is transferred from the brushes onto the seed as the seed is dispensed prior to the seed hitting the ground.

Abstract: A machine and a method for producing biodegradable nonwoven textile comprising including seeds including a seed distributing machine unit, positioned in a cross-lapping portion of the nonwoven textile machine. The seed distributing machine unit includes at least one receptacle for seeds having a dispensing opening for regulated outlet of seeds onto a veil of biodegradable fibres. A needle punching portion is situated after the cross-lapping, seen in the direction of the biodegradable nonwoven textile production line of the machine, for needle-punching of the veil of biodegradable fibres.

Abstract: A method for automatically preparing seeds with an additive to be deployed together with the seeds. The method includes conveying a plurality of seeds into an opening position, creating an opening in each of the seeds by cutting each seed with a fixed blade or a laser device when each seed is in the opening position, introducing an amount of additive into the seed through the opening and continuously conveying the plurality of seeds while creating the opening and introducing the amount of additive into the seeds.

Abstract: A seeding machine (32,100) includes a seeding mechanism (34,130,150) driven by a seeding motor (194,196). A motor command signal is compensated for accelerations based on a wheel based speed of a towing vehicle (10).

Abstract: A row planter having a pair of gauge wheels mounted on gauge wheel arms includes a controller for adjusting the position of the gauge wheels, and thereby adjusting the planting depth of seeds. The controller is pivotally mounted on the row unit, with a handle on the upper end and a rocker arm on the lower end engaging the gauge wheel arms. The controller can be pivoted about a transverse horizontal axis by movement of the handle so as to adjust the rocker arms, and thereby the gauge wheels arms for adjusting the seed planting depth. The controller further includes a pivotal block to which the rocker arm is mounted. The pivotal block can be adjusted via bolts on opposite forward and rearward sides of the block, so as to fine-tune the rocker arm position, and thereby further adjust the planting depth of the row unit.

Abstract: A gauge wheel (1) for use in controlling the depth of a furrow formed by at least one planting member of cultivation equipment includes a hub member (5) having a central hub and an outer peripheral portion (9); and a resilient coil member (3). The resilient coil member (3) includes a plurality of coil windings (17) which extend closely adjacent to the outer peripheral portion (9) of the hub member (5) and which define an outer periphery of the gauge wheel (1). The coil member (3) is connected at or adjacent one end thereof to the hub member (5). In use, the resilient coil member engages the soil on a side of the furrow and controls the depth by which the at least one planting member cuts into the soil to form the furrow. There is also provided a coulter gauge wheel which includes a coulter disc and at least one gauge wheel as described above.

Abstract: A method of spreading granular material by an agricultural distribution device includes the steps of: spreading granular material onto an agricultural land by a plurality of distribution elements arranged on a distribution linkage of the agricultural distribution device, and detecting plant rows on the agricultural land during the spreading of the granular material, wherein the granular material is spread in row areas of the agricultural land having plant rows by at least one distribution element with a first distribution pattern and is spread in row-free areas of the agricultural land not having plant rows by at least one distribution element with a second distribution pattern.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for fertilizing corn in a semi-humid region for one time, and belongs to the field of agricultural fertilization. The method adopts a corn seeding and fertilizing combined machine to sow and fertilize for one time in a semi-humid region. The method realizes nutrient supply throughout the growth of corn without performing top dressing in a later stage. The method improves fertilizer utilization, saves labor cost and improves production and income. The present invention effectively improves ventilation and light transmission conditions in the corn field, eliminates the effect of a stubble of a preceding crop on the emergence of corn, improves uniformity, and reduces nutrient loss.

Abstract: A multi-scale habitat information-based method and device for detecting and controlling water and fertilizer for crops in seedling stage: performing fusion analysis on multi-scale features of the water and fertilizer stress of crops on the basis of crop canopy-scale three-dimensional laser scanning information, foliage-scale polarization-hyperspectral imaging information, and micro-scale micro-CT scanning information; combining the real-time feedback of the temperature, humidity, illumination and substrate moisture content within a crop growing greenhouse; by means of multi-information fusion modeling, comprehensively determining and feeding back the water and fertilizer stress of the crops as well as water requirement and fertilizer requirement information, and providing policy information for the amount of fertilization and irrigation.

Abstract: A system for monitoring an operation of an agricultural sprayer includes a boom and a nozzle mounted on the boom. The nozzle is, in turn, configured to dispense an agricultural fluid onto an underlying plant as the agricultural sprayer travels across a field. Furthermore, the system includes an imaging device configured to capture image data depicting a droplet of the agricultural fluid that has been deposited onto the underlying plant. Additionally, the system includes a computing system communicatively coupled to the imaging device. As such, the computing system is configured to receive the captured image data from the imaging device. Moreover, the computing system is further configured to analyze the received image data to determine at least one of a size or a shape of the droplet.

Abstract: A riding greensmower clean-up pass speed control system reduces the maximum ground speed if a clean-up pass control is actuated. The reduced maximum ground speed is adjustable using a display. The maximum ground speed is increased to the previous ground speed each time the plurality of grass cutting reels are raised after the clean-up pass.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a self-propelled robotic tool (1) and a method in a self-propelled robotic tool (1), being used to detecting lifting of the self-propelled robotic device from the ground. The method includes collecting (21) driving data (31) related to the driving of a wheel (5), collecting (23) measured inertia data from an inertial measurement unit (13), .IMU, in the self-propelled robotic tool, determining (25), using an estimation function (33), a residual parameter corresponding to a differential between said measured inertia data and estimated inertia data resulting from said driving data being input to said estimation function, and determining a lifting condition based on the residual parameter.

Abstract: A header for an agricultural harvester including a knife drive disposed at a forward end of a feeder conveyor. An infeed drive is disposed adjacent the feeder conveyor, the infeed drive having an input and an output. An input shaft is drivingly connected to the infeed drive input, and an output shaft has a first end connected to the infeed drive output and a second end drivingly connected to the knife drive. The knife drive can be a center knife drive and the infeed drive, the input shaft and the output shaft operate as a fully mechanical drive power supply for the center knife drive which overcomes the deficiencies of hydraulically-driven knife drives.

Abstract: A mower capable of reducing noise generated by rotation of a cutter blade is provided. A mower is provided with an upper cutter blade and a lower cutter blade (15) inside a housing. The lower cutter blade has a wing portion (42) and a wing chamfered portion (51). The wing portion overhangs upward from a second rear end portion (47) of the lower cutter blade on an opposite side in a rotational direction, at both end portions (45) in a longitudinal direction. The wing chamfered portion is chamfered so that a wing outer end portion (53) of the wing portion is inclined from an upper surface to a lower surface.

Abstract: A manually operated wheeled machine includes a housing and an engine mounted to the housing via a mounting structure. The mounting structure includes a tubular spacer defining a through hole. The spacer has a first end directly abutting the engine and a second end inserted in a mounting hole extended through the housing. The second end of the spacer is offset axially inwardly from a lower surface of the housing. A damping element axially mounted to the spacer is directly engaged to the first end of the spacer. A washer axially mounted to the spacer is interposed between and directly contacts each of the damping element and an upper surface of the housing. A fastener is extended through mounting hole and the spacer from the lower surface of the housing for connection with the engine.

Abstract: Walk-behind power equipment includes: a main body including front and rear wheels; a work unit provided on the main body; a work motor that drives the work unit; a travel motor that rotates the rear wheel; a handle extending from the main body rearward and upward; a posture detector that detects a rearward tilted state of the main body in which the rear wheel is in contact with a ground and the front wheel is not; and a control unit that drive-controls the work motor and travel motor, wherein when the main body is in the rearward tilted state, the control unit causes a rotational speed of the travel motor to be reduced compared to when the front wheel is in contact with the ground, or causes a rotational speed of the work motor to be reduced compared to when the front wheel is in contact with the ground.

Abstract: An outdoor grounds maintenance vehicle is self-propelled by a hydrostatic traction drive system that provides dynamic braking to the vehicle without the need for separate service brakes acting on the wheels of the vehicle. An engine kill device can be manually actuated by the operator to access the dynamic braking of the traction drive system by reducing the speed of the prime mover that powers the pump of the traction drive system. This provides an auxiliary braking system that can be used in an emergency or on demand by the operator in the event the accelerator pedal does not properly control the pump swashplates. The operator can control the rate at which the auxiliary brake system reduces the speed of the prime mover to zero.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method includes obtaining harvest data indicative of a prior harvesting operation on a field, identifying a region of the field having already-harvested crop plants based on the harvest data, detecting a characteristic of crop plants in a field in a path of an agricultural harvesting machine in a direction of travel, generating, based on the detected characteristic, a height metric representing a height of the crop plants on a particular area of the field, and generating a control signal to control the agricultural harvesting machine based on the height metric and the identified region.

Abstract: An apparatus for damping a pitching oscillation of a working vehicle comprising: a first actuator for adjusting a position of an implement couple to the working vehicle; a second actuator for adjusting a propulsion rate of the working vehicle; and a control device in communication with the first and second actuators, the control device configured to receive an operating mode signal corresponding to an operating mode of at least one of the working vehicle and implement, and to generate control signals to the first actuator and the second actuator as a function of the operating mode signal.

Abstract: A system for controlling harvesting implement position of an agricultural harvester includes a harvesting implement configured to be coupled to the harvester to permit adjustment of a current position of the implement relative to a field surface. Additionally, the system includes a sensor configured to capture data indicative of the current position of the implement relative to the field surface, a display device, and a controller communicatively coupled to the sensor and the display device. As such, the controller is configured to monitor the current position of the implement based on the data captured by the sensor. Furthermore, the controller is further configured to initiate display of a graphical user interface on the display device, with the graphical user interface displaying a first interface element associated with the current position of the implement relative to a second interface element associated with a reference position of the implement.

Abstract: An agricultural machine includes a chassis, a crop-cutting member coupled to the chassis; and a crop-conditioning member coupled to the chassis and positioned rearward of the crop-cutting member. The crop-conditioning member includes a first macerator assembly and a second macerator assembly. The first macerator assembly includes a first roll configured to rotate about a first rotational axis, a second roll configured to rotate about a second rotational axis, and a first endless member surrounding and engaged with the first roll and the second roll. The second macerator assembly is spaced apart from the first macerator assembly; and a maceration zone is defined between the first macerator assembly and the second macerator assembly. The endless member rotates to macerate crop disposed between the first macerator assembly and the second macerator assembly.

Abstract: The invention relates to an attachment for attaching to a harvesting machine, comprising a number of picking devices (2) distributed adjacent to one another over the working width, said picking devices having at least a first and a second picking rotor (10a, 10b), which can be driven in counterrotation.

Abstract: A fruit harvesting machine, including a sealed container (12), for collecting fruits, a vacuum pump (13), connected to the sealed container (12), for generating a vacuum in the sealed container (12), a flexible tube (14), connected to the sealed container (12), for drifting therethrough a fruit, a vehicle (28) on which the container a is placed on, a cutting device (27) located at the end (22) of the flexible tube (14), inside the tube, and a ladder (26) installed on the vehicle.

Abstract: A detasseling apparatus includes a chassis having a head mounted to the chassis. The head supports a plurality of row units, each of the row units having an independently adjustable vertical position. Each row unit is independently vertically adjustable. Each row unit includes a puller or cutter, a height adjustment assembly for independently adjusting vertical position of the detasseling assembly to maintain the puller or cutter at a predetermined height relative to seed corn plants being engaged, and an optical sensing assembly. The optical sensing assembly includes a first photoelectric sensor at a first sensor height and a second photoelectric sensor at a second sensor height, the first sensor height being above the second sensor height. A processor receives and stores detasseling data related to detasseling including corn height, depth of cut, height after cutting. The information may be shown on displays to the operator, stored on board the detasseler and/or transmitted to a central control center.

Abstract: A battery-operated electric mower having a chassis that supports at least an operator support and a first and second drive wheel, each drive wheel respectively connected to one of a first and a second drive wheel motor. The first drive wheel motor may be connected to the first drive wheel by a first gear mechanism, which may include a first system of planetary gears, and the second drive wheel motor may be connected the second drive wheel by a second gear mechanism, which may include a second system of planetary gears. The chassis also supports a battery pack positioned, at least in part, within the same horizontal plane as at least one of the drive wheel motors. The battery may be positioned, at least in part, between the first drive wheel motor and the second drive wheel motor, significantly lowering the mower's center of gravity.

Abstract: A tarping system includes a tarp comprising a flexible, weather-resistant material. Multiple straps are connected to the tarp. A tarp storage reel assembly is placed on one side of an object be covered and is removably secured auger anchors. A strap take-up reel assembly is placed on the other side of the object to be covered and is removably secured by auger anchors. A method of tarping an object includes the steps of removably anchoring a tarp storage reel assembly and a strap take-up reel assembly on opposite sides of the object. A tarp is placed over the object and secured with the straps.

Abstract: A plant cultivation method for increasing the phytochemical content of a Labiatae plant is provided. The plant cultivation method includes cultivating the Labiatae plant in a visible light environment having a dark period and a light period during which the Labiatae plant is exposed to visible light in an alternate manner, and performing treatment with UVB radiation during the light period for at least one day before harvesting. A cumulative dose of the UVB radiation may range from 0.54 J/m2 to 4.32 kJ/m2.

Abstract: An output of light suitable for growing plants is controlled using a white light source. A growing system including a greenhouse and a plurality of lighting devices disposed above a plant to be grown in the greenhouse and utilizing natural light includes a plurality of white light sources, a plurality of auxiliary light sources each of which is configured to emit red light and far-red light, and an illumination controller configured to control a degree of emission of light from the white light sources or the auxiliary light sources of the plurality of lighting devices, the illumination controller configured to start or stop controlling emission of light from the white light sources or the auxiliary light sources according to sunrise or sunset.

Abstract: A LED grow-light system is disclosed. The LED grow-light system includes one or more grow-light canopies with linear LED light bars to provide upward and downward lighting in a central illumination area. The LED light bars are preferably configured to move up and down relative to a grow bed. The LED grow-light system or grow-light canopies constructed using T-slot interconnects that lock into T-channels of the T-slot bars and/or T-slot light bars.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for the indoor and outdoor cultivation of larger fruiting plants. Improved lighting techniques, plant layouts, and space utilization are provided to improve the quality and yields of harvested products from large fruiting plants on a per plant and unit area basis. The uniformity of artificial light is improved from the top to the bottom of tall plants and vines, and overcome the lack of light penetration through the canopy of the plant by changing the orientation of lights from a horizontal to vertical alignment along the side of the plant verses over the top of the canopy, as well as increasing the number of light sources to reduce shading. Plants are trained to grow in specific directions and orientations in a grid system to enable an optimal and uniform light distribution and to improve space utilization in a given growing area.

Abstract: A plant plug holding unit is provided, the plant plug holding unit including at least one plant plug holder. The plant plug holding unit, which is configured to be inserted into a cut-out in a hydroponic tower face plate, includes an edge member that encircles the unit and is sealed to the rear surface of the front tower face. Each individual plant plug holder of the plant plug holding unit includes (i) a base member configured to support a plant plug and which extends rearward from the edge member and into the hydroponic tower cavity; (ii) a top shroud member that inhibits leakage as well as plug erosion; (iii) a pair of side members that maintain the position of the plant plug within the plug holder; and (iv) a plurality of open regions configured to promote water drainage from the plant plug.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a plant terrarium assembly for containing a plant, the plant terrarium assembly comprising an at least partially transparent housing enclosing an inner volume, the transparent housing comprising a top side, and an opening defined by a rim, a closing member configured to be moved between a closed position and an open position in order to open and close the opening in the housing, wherein the closing member has an inner side and an outer side, wherein in the closed position the inner side faces the inner volume, and wherein the outer side is configured to form a bottom side of the plant terrarium assembly and to be placed on a base surface.

Abstract: An enclosure for maintaining biological matter therein under controlled conditions can include a main body, which has an interior space and a door through which the interior space is accessible, one or more light emitter panels that illuminate the interior space, a base that receives the main body thereon and comprises a cooling system. The cooling system can have a container, a fluid inlet for introducing a fluid into the container, and a fluid outlet for removing the fluid from the container; and a top section that is removably attached to a top surface of the main body. Such an enclosure is capable of maintaining a temperature within the interior space between about 14° C. and about 30° C.

Abstract: A liquid desiccant system for controlling a temperature inside an enclosure includes a liquid desiccant evaporative cooler (LDEC) system configured to cool down an incoming air stream (AA) entering the enclosure by using a first liquid desiccant; a liquid desiccant humidity pump (LDHR) system configured to remove humidity from a humid air stream (AD) that exists the enclosure by using a second liquid desiccant; and a storage system fluidly connected to the LDEC system and to the LDHR system and configured to separately store the first liquid desiccant and the second liquid desiccant. The humid air stream (AD) includes water vapors from the first liquid desiccant and from inside the enclosure.

Abstract: This invention relates to an apparatus and method for enhancing plant growth through use of light-reflecting panels which comprise reflective surfaces that are capable of reflecting specific light wavelengths.

Abstract: An agricultural paper mulch sheet including a paper based substrate and a nutrient additive. The nutrient additive may be a water soluble nitrogen fertilizer. The agricultural paper may be deployed from rolls and draped over crops in a garden or field, wherein the agricultural paper covers a substantial portion of the soil in which the plants will grow or are growing, while, in some preferred embodiments, providing openings (i.e., holes) for individual plants to emanate from the soil through the agricultural paper set forth around the plant. The sheet is preferably porous, tillable, and biodegradable. The substrate may have an ink pattern printed on it. The method includes applying the nutrient additive to the substrate preferably via a printing process.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for generating low altitude clouds saturated with moisture above bodies of water including oceans, lakes, reservoirs, and rivers to generate rain down wind of the location of rain cloud generation.

Abstract: A method for cultivating ergosterol-rich Agaricus bisporus includes sowing seeds on a culture medium followed by soil covering for mycelium cultivation and sporophore cultivation. During the mycelium cultivation, a light intensity is 100-400 lux and a pH of the culture medium is controlled to 6.0-8.0. During the sporophore cultivation, a light intensity is 20-200 lux and a pH of the culture medium is controlled to 6.0-8.0. The preparation of the culture medium includes the following steps. The manure is mixed with phosphate fertilizer, calcium fertilizer and nitrogen fertilizer to obtain an auxiliary material, and the crop straw and the auxiliary material are subjected to composting and decomposition, pasteurized and adjusted pH to 6.8-7.2 to obtain the culture medium. A healthy food or a functional food containing the ergosterol-rich Agaricus bisporus is also provided herein.

Abstract: A pressure compensation member, an irrigation drip emitter, drip lines and methods relating to same, are provided for delivering irrigation water from a supply tube to an emitter outlet at a reduced and relatively constant flow rate. The pressure compensation member being suitable for use in conventional emitters or alternate emitters being provided having either a uniform elastomeric emitter body configuration or a poly-material emitter body utilizing an elastomeric pressure compensation member. Various methods are also disclosed herein relating to the pressure compensation member, emitters and/or drip line using such pressure compensating members and/or emitters.

Abstract: An irrigation modeling framework in precision agriculture utilizes a combination of weather data, crop data, and other agricultural inputs to create customized agronomic models for diagnosing and predicting a moisture state in a field, and a corresponding need for, and timing of, irrigation activities. Specific combinations of various agricultural inputs can be applied, together with weather information to identify or adjust water-related characteristics of crops and soils, to model optimal irrigation activities and provide advisories, recommendations, and scheduling guidance for targeted application of artificial precipitation to address specific moisture conditions in a soil system of a field.

Abstract: A smart garden station for remotely managing growth and health of indoor plants is disclosed. The smart garden station comprises of a first container mounted on a panel and a second container inserted into the first container onto which a growing medium is disposed for planting seeds/plants. A set of sensors constantly monitor and communicate environment related data around the garden station to a remote electronic device. The remote electronic device generates a set of instructions to provide ideal environmental conditions at the garden station based on the received data. A processing unit receives these instructions and manages environmental conditions around the garden station. The processing unit controls the environment by primarily controlling the watering unit, the lighting unit, and the ventilation unit. These components modulate water content in growing medium and the temperature/humidity around the garden station to provide an optimal environment for the growth and health of the plants.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a raft design for use in hydroponically growing crop seeds. The raft has a plurality of ribs that have a plurality of furrows between them. Media and crop seeds are placed in the furrows. The ribs have rounded tops so that the media and crop seeds do not get stuck on the top of the rib, but rather fall into the furrows. The raft also has a curved or arched underside, so that when the rafts are stacked on top of one another, air can circulate. The present disclosure also provides a process for filing the raft with growing media, seeding, and/or a topcoat. The furrows of the raft are oriented with respect to a hopper to provide a high efficiency.

Abstract: A hydroponic plant growth system including an upwardly extending housing having a cavity therein defining a liquid nutrient flow column and a plurality of growth pod ports each extending from a respective port opening at an outer surface of a front wall of the housing to the cavity. Each growth pod port sized to receive a growth pod. Wherein when a growth pod is mounted in a respective one of the growth pod ports, a mounting flange of the growth pod abuts the outer surface the front wall and a growth pod axis of the growth pod extends downwardly from a respective growth pod proximal end through the growth pod port at an angle of between 30 degrees and 60 degrees to the growth pod port axis.

Abstract: A system and method for converting food waste and other biologically-derived waste materials into nutrients for an algal growth system using worms to produce such nutrients is described. In one embodiment, a method for converting food waste into nutrients for an algal growth system using worms includes providing food waste to a container including a plurality of worms. The method also includes collecting castings from the food waste processed by the plurality of worms. The method further includes providing a wash to the container. The wash causes the castings to move to a bottom portion of the container adjacent to a moveable screen. The method includes actuating the moveable screen so that the castings pass through a plurality of holes in the moveable screen. The method also includes providing the passed castings to an algal growth system.

Abstract: A pneumatic pollination device and a method for hybrid rice seed production with a large row ratio are provided. The pneumatic pollination device includes a pneumatic pollination component, a controller, a lifting adjustment component and a four-wheel power chassis. The pneumatic pollination component is mounted at the front part of the four-wheel power chassis through the lifting adjusting component, and the controller is mounted at the upper part of the four-wheel power chassis. The airflow of each pollination pipe respectively acts on the spike part of the male parent row of corresponding hybrid rice, so that the male pollen is separated from stamens and floats to the female compartment. The airflow velocities of the pollination pipes of respective male parent rows are different to ensure that the pollen is conveyed to the main female parent action region.

Abstract: A hand-held pneumatic pollinator for hybrid rice seed production and a method thereof are provided. The pollinator includes a hand-held power chassis, a lifting assembly, a pneumatic pollination assembly, and a control assembly. A position of each of air blowing pipes relative to an ear of the male parent is adjusted by the control assembly and the lifting assembly. The pneumatic pollination assembly is provided with a plurality of air blowing pipes, of which the number is less than rows of the male parent of a hybrid rice seed production with a relatively large row ratio. Each air blowing pipe is located between corresponding two rows of the male parent during pollination. The directional, uniform and constant airflow at an air blowing port blows a pollen off a stamen to transport the pollen to the female parent compartment.

Abstract: The invention provides barley grain comprising a reduced level or activity of starch synthase IIa protein and a starch content of at least 41% (w/w) and methods of producing, identifying and using same. The grain may comprise an amylase content of at least 50%, a ?-glucan content of 5-9% (w/w) or greater than 9% (w/w), and/or a fructan content of 3-11% (w/w). The fructan may comprise a degree of polymerization from about 3 to about 12. For example, the plant and grain comprises a sex6-292 allele and/or an amo1 mutation. A food or beverage product, and methods of producing a food or beverage product, comprising obtaining or producing the subject grain and processing the grain to produce the product. Also contemplated are methods of improving one or mom indicators of health in a mammal comprising administering a composition comprising the subject barley grain or a product comprising same.